#174 - spontaneity

Last Friday I was invited and then uninvited to a regularly occurring "movie night" (it was abruptly cancelled for that week). Since my night was all of a sudden free, I decided to cruise online to see what happenings there were downtown. Through a series of link-clicking, I came to Matt Pond PA's tour dates. Portland on the 12th! Seattle on the 13th! I sent out a "let's do this!" text to a friend, who actually took me up on my sham of a proposal. I hadn't actually comprehended the details of if we actually go... it was more like a, "hehe... yah right, but cool" text (I'm not, by nature, a spontaneous person). With two aboard the spontaneous-road-trip-train, I tried to gather a few more. Within 30 minutes of the news, the four of us were all hodgepodge-packed and on the road. Friday we left Boise around 6:00 PM and arrived in Seattle at 1:00 AM.

(Concert was in Portland on the 12th you thought? ... WRONG. I misread the website too. Apparently Saturday was the Seattle show, but by the time we figured that out, our excited concert anticipatory wheels were spinning out of control and no mix-up would stop us)

We slept at my wonderfully hospitable brother's house and then all day Saturday (up at 8:00 AM) we cruised around Seattle. This was my first attempt of driving a stick-shift in such a hilly place, but I'm proud to announce that I was successful with no stalls and only one accidental. peel-out (smelt like burnt rubber for about 5 minutes...). We walked from Pikes Place to the Space Needle. Back to Pikes Place. Back to the Space Needle. Back to Pikes Place. Mixed in with that relay was a stop at the Experience Music Project, Holy Cow Records, a good friend's house, and the Pier.

Now for the meat: After our day's excursion, we drove to the High Dive venue. We were one of the first people waiting in line so therefore, got the best seats in the house while we waited an hour and a half for the show to start. Once the concert started though, we were up front and center against the stage. Smoosh opened. They were phenomenal! Three sisters: one 18 years, one 16 years, and one 13 years old. They were all very attractive, and had more talent that than anyone expected. The drummer was easily the best drummer of the night. Wintersleep followed: loud noise with 30 seconds of understandable lyrics that ended up making me extremely dizzy, black out, almost fall over, and have to leave the floor.

MATT POND PA! While they were setting up for the set, he jumped down on the floor to adjust one of his speakers. He said excuse me, with a smile, and was so close to me I could hardly breath. It was a perfect start! They played the most incredible set: I recognized every song but one and he played all my very favorites! I was dancing the entire time and singing for most of it. His stage presence, talent, humor and charisma was heart pounding. Easily one of the top three best concerts I've been to.

The concert ended at 2:00 AM when we hit the road and took shifts driving back home to boise. We arrived back in our beds at 10:00 AM where I proceeded to sleep until 4:00 PM. Much needed...

THE SUM UP: without hesitation, the concert was definitely worth the drive. The friend bonding and fun-having was worth the sleep deprivation. The memories and bragging rights were worth the money spent.

#151- vidi vidi vidi

I saw the clock say: WED 1/20 3:30 PM, signaling my retreat home to grab my bags and hit the road for Park City, UT for the 2010 Independence Sundance Film Festival!

I saw zero flakes of snow my whole way, making the drive fast, easy, and pleasurable... zipping along by my lonesome to a new adventure.

I saw a very luxurious hotel (outside my price range) after arriving because, unfortunately, calling AAA at 10:00 at night, requesting a hotel in Park City during an international event is a comical request.

I saw multiple feet of snow outside my window early in the morning, making my clothing selection, car condition, and rest of the week plans very superfluous.

I saw my best friends! (Jenny, Amy, Trevor, Viktor, Simon, Shua) after ambushing them in Provo for the day on Thursday. It was nostalgically glorious!

I saw my tickets in hand for an eventful Friday in Park city: "Happythankyoumoreplease" and "The Company Men".

I saw celebs during my stroll downtown in Park City: Ben Affleck, Ryan Gosling, Josh Radnor, Tony Tale,

Malin Akerman, Kate Mara, Peter Scanavino, John Wells, Tommy Lee Jones, Kevin Costner, and Chris Cooper.

I saw the beautiful, unappreciated art of the infamous Banksy while enjoying my Java Cow.

I saw "Obselidia" "Shorts Program IV" and "Lourdes" with Adrienne while in Salt Lake City for round two of the festival.

I saw the stunning Egyptian Theater, complete with the classic old man playing show tunes on the organ before the performance. After which I enjoyed "Waiting for Superman" and "Boy" in Ogden for Sunday day 3 and then the quick drive home.

My eyes feasted that weekend on people I love, films I adored, audiences crying, laughing, clapping, standing in ovation and the humble beginnings of low budget film makers trying to make it big (and in my mind, resoundingly succeeding).

#135 - how am i not myself?

I suppose I'm one of those people... I'm into bands that most people haven't heard of. I can listen to music for hours, staring into space and living the lyrics in my imagination. The enveloping daze of a broken heart consumes me into unseen depths. The utter bliss of the idea of a new love fills my mind with day dreams and turns my life into a musical. The melancholy ecstasy of an indie film grabs my attention and emotion. I eat hummus and pesto and like it. I pretend to enjoy drinking tea, which, by my combination, ends up being lemon-flavored-honey-water. And I can make fun of myself for it =)

I indulged this evening and went to see 500 Days of Summer for the second time. The first time, I went with a few friends who didn't care for the film and I was more consumed with appeasing them than developing an opinion of the movie. I had been looking forward to this movie for months was wasn't satisfied with my experience. I decided tonight to see it again, but this time, alone. And you know what? I really loved it! I loved Tom's heights and depths. It reminded me so much of myself and my own relationships. I loved Summer's honesty and independence. I related a lot to both of the main characters. I often put my life into movies and lyrics... romanticize my day-to-day.

I am looking forward to the Sundance Film Festival in Park City. I hope I can actually make it... financially. Currently there are quite a few interestings:

Cold Souls

Adam

Paper Hearts

The Informant